One of the best parts about scrapbooking your memories is the fact
that you can be as creative in showcasing them as you’d like. So why

Editor’s Note

not dress up your memories in style by adding a little fabric, ribbon,
stitching, or notions like buttons and snaps to your layouts? These
trendy, textured elements from the textile world complement the
paper and stickers already in your scrap stash well, and they add
visual variety and a little pizzazz to your albums.
In the pages that follow, you’ll find simple, stylish ways to add
fabric, stitching, and notions to your scrapbooks. Whether you’ve
been using these items and techniques for years or haven’t ever
included them in your scrapbooks, you’ll find yourself inspired by

FABRIC 101
Add texture and personality to your layouts using fabric.
Think about why you love wandering down the
patterned paper aisle of your local scrapbooking store.
Whether it’s the designs, colors, or textures of the
paper that draw you in, you’re likely to find that the
fabric lining the aisles of the fabric store has the
very same appeal. Just like patterned paper, fabric
comes in a variety of textures, colors, designs, and
weights—each with its own personality.
In this chapter, we’ll introduce you to a variety
of fabric styles, teach you how to use them
on your layouts (it’s easy!), and show
you how they’ll add character
to your stories.

Canvas is a durable material that one may
not think of as a scrapbooking supply, but its
strength makes it an ideal material to support
your family’s most powerful stories. Plus, it
can handle your favorite coloring techniques,
as Waleska Neris demonstrates with her
stamped and spray-inked canvas accents.

Fabric Profile:

Cheesecloth
A staple in many kitchens, delicate
cheesecloth can add a breezy touch to your
layout. The loose, airy weave makes it a cinch
to shape into accents or use as a background
mask, as Jen Jockisch did here. And, since
its natural color is white or cream, you can
create a color of material that perfectly
coordinates with your layout’s photos and
color scheme by just laying your cheesecloth
on a flat surface, and spritzing it with spray
ink. The lightweight pigment makes it easy
to add color to your cheesecloth without
saturating and stiffening the fibers.

Just as a few special little details in your journaling or
photos can make a layout into a family treasure, the
subtle, trendy details that stitching adds to a layout
can make it into a piece of personal art. Stitching
can help you create many looks, from elegant to
playful. It’s all a matter of knowing which stitch
to use, which thread to use, and how to
execute the technique. You don’t have
to be an expert seamstress to make
your pages look marvelous—we’ll
show you how!

Scr apbooki ng wi th Fabr i c & Noti ons

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21

Creating Different
Hand-stitched Looks

In this section, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll walk you through four different stitches and show you how
each one looks when done using three different types of thread or trim.

NOTIONS 101
Create layouts with panache using buttons, trim, and more.
Where would your scrapbook layouts be without
the accessories? The world of sewing is very much
the same—seamstresses just couldn’t get by without
notions! And what a delightful surprise it is to find
that most of the toys that seamstresses use also look
fantastic on scrapbook layouts. From buttons and
lace to pins and measuring tapes, sewing notions
may just become your favorite new scrapbooking
embellishments. On the pages that follow,
we’ll show you new ways to use old favorites,
such as buttons, and introduce you to
a few other notions that are sure
to become your new favorite
scrapbooking goodies.

Scr apbooki ng wi th Fabr i c & Noti ons

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37

notions: The Beginning
What is a notion exactly? “Notions” is simply a term used to
collectively describe the small accessories attached to garments
for either functional or decorative purposes. Notions include
buttons, snaps, Velcro, ribbon, lace, and even appliqué. The
term is broad, and so are the possibilities for using notions in
scrapbooking. In fact, you’ve probably already been using at least
a few notions in your scrapbooking. Take, for instance, this layout
from Nicole Samuels. Her darling button clusters and wide ribbon
border are perfect examples of how you’ve probably been using
notions on your layouts. Nicole’s page also illustrates how notions
can enhance any layout, even one about getting on the school bus.

Scrapbooking with Fabric & Notions

Discover how to enhance your scrapbook layouts using buttons, fabric, thread, and other materials from the sewing world. From using quick, pre-made accent options to creating beautifully sewn backgrounds, we’ll help you learn the ins and outs of adding homespun textures to your layouts with patterns, step-by-step instructions, and more. You won’t want to miss this “sew” special issue from Creating Keepsakes. On sale November 1, 2011; 140 pages, $14.99.